Abstract

The causes of aging remain unknown, but they are probably intimately linked to a multifactorial process that affects cell networks to varying degrees. Although a growing number of aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) animal models are available, a more comprehensive and physiological mouse model is required. In this context, the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) has a number of advantages, since its rapid physiological senescence means that it has about half the normal lifespan of a rodent. In addition, according to data gathered over the last five years, some of its behavioral traits and histopathology resemble AD human dementia. SAMP8 has remarkable pathological similarities to AD and may prove to be an excellent model for acquiring more in-depth knowledge of the age-related neurodegenerative processes behind brain senescence and AD in particular. We review these facts and particularly the data on parameters related to neurodegeneration. SAMP8 also shows signs of aging in the immune, vascular, and metabolic systems, among others.